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Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Harris County
AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Harris County June 2 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.
The center is located at:
Harris County
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
6402 Market St.
Houston, TX 77020
The center will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find locations of centers near you go to fema.gov/drc.
Residents in Bell,Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Waller counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).
Texans do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply, homeowners and renters can:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
alexa.brown Sat, 06/01/2024 - 16:55FEMA Disaster Assistance Available for Arkansans
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansans who sustained damage from the recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding from May 24 to May 27, 2024, may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Currently, residents living in Benton, Boone and Marion counties may be eligible for disaster assistance.
FEMA’s disaster assistance offers benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when needed the most. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Arkansans access to a wider range of assistance including serious needs.
Assistance Available
- Serious Needs Assistance (SNA) provides funding for households to cover important items like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, fuel for transportation or other emergency supplies for eligible households.
- To qualify for SNA, you must be displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to the disaster on your application.
- Displacement Assistance (DA) provides people with up-front funds to assist with immediate housing options of their choice, to keep people housed. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options.
Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance are both funded after a completed inspection confirms eligibility.
Apply to FEMA
Arkansans can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
Additional Assistance and Benefits
- Streamlined Application Requirements so people can apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA assistance at the same time.
- Support for Underinsured People to help with aspects of home repair that insurance companies won’t cover, but they can’t afford on their own.
- Simplified Assistance for Entrepreneurs by providing self-employed people with some initial financial support to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment to help them land on their feet.
- Ex.: computers if you are a gig worker, lawnmower if you are a landscaper
- Expanded Habitability Criteria to help people make their homes safer and cleaner post-disaster and so they can repair all aspects of their home post-disaster.
- Previously, if a home had a leaky roof pre-disaster, that area of the home wouldn’t qualify.
- Make Accessibility Improvements to help people with disabilities improve their living conditions by making their homes even more accessible than they were pre-disaster.
- Streamlined Temporary Housing Assistance Applications by reducing documentation requirements for applicants who need to extend their stay in FEMA-supported temporary housing.
- Simplified the Process for Appeals so people who wish to appeal FEMA’s decisions will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany the supporting documentation.
- Computer Assistance for people who need to repair or replace disaster-damaged computers.
Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing
If you currently reside in Benton, Boone and Marion counties and suffered damage to your primary residence, FEMA may be able to provide rent for a temporary place to live while you are displaced. Rental assistance is intended to cover monthly rent, security deposit and cost of essential utilities such as electricity and water.
Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
FEMA’s Individuals and Household Program assistance is intended to help jumpstart your recovery. Here are some examples of basic needs:
- Home Repair Assistance may be provided to homeowners to repair the structural parts of your home. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems) and entrance ways. FEMA may also reimburse for the actual cost to repair or replace your furnace, private well and septic system that was damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
alexa.brown Fri, 05/31/2024 - 23:27Greenfield Disaster Recovery Center Moving to Elementary School
FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at Greenfield City Hall will relocate to the nearby Nodaway Valley Elementary School on Sunday, June 2. Until then, the recovery center will continue to be open at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., including Saturday.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain disaster assistance programs and help people complete or check the status of applications for federal assistance.
New Disaster Recovery Center location:
Greenfield – FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
Nodaway Valley Elementary School
324 NW 2nd St
Greenfield, IA 50849
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., starting Sunday, June 2.
FEMA can provide money to eligible homeowners and renters for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance. To save time, please apply with FEMA online or by phone before visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
How to Apply with FEMA- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
- Download and use the FEMA app
- Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
- Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).
Disaster Recovery Centers are physically accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. They are equipped with assistive and adaptive technology such as amplified phones, caption phones, video phones, wheelchair ramps and other resources to help ensure all applicants can access resources.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448.
thomas.wise Fri, 05/31/2024 - 21:03FEMA Deputy Administrator Visits National Hurricane Center, Highlights Preparedness Actions for Individuals and Communities
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks today visited the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami and was joined by NHC Director Michael Brennan and Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz to brief the media on preparedness ahead of the June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season. The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity, with NOAA forecasting an above-normal season, with up to 25 named storms, including up to 13 hurricanes.
During the event, Deputy Administrator Hooks debuted FEMA’s Be in the Know campaign, which underscores the importance of understanding what to do in an evacuation.
“This hurricane season, we want to make sure everyone is ready and equipped with their evacuation plans,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks. “We want people to know where to go, what to bring, and where to get good information. Preparation is always our best ally and our strongest defense. Together, we can ensure our communities are ‘In the Know’ and risk-ready this hurricane season.”
In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season, there are four steps everyone should take to Be in the Know:
- Know Your Risk – Identify the specific hazards you face, which can vary according to the community in which you live.
- Know When and Where to Go – Make an evacuation plan and learn your state and local evacuation zones by visiting your state and county emergency management websites. Download the FEMA App to use the Text-to-Shelter feature, which can let you know how to find shelter during an evacuation by texting “shelter” and your ZIP code to 43362.
- Know What to Bring – Build a go-bag with all the essentials you might need. Before a disaster strikes, knowing what to bring will help you evacuate quickly and safely.
- Know Your Information Sources – Identify where you can access reliable information so you can make informed decisions before, during, and after a disaster. Subscribe to alerts from FEMA, your local emergency management agencies and the National Weather Service to stay informed on safety procedures and updates.
In addition, NHC Director Michael Brennan shared information on what the public can expect this hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30.
“As we head into the 2024 hurricane season tomorrow, now is the time for everyone to prepare and know your risk,” said Dr. Brennan. “Don’t wait until a storm threatens your area to start thinking about your evacuation and preparedness plan. Take action now to keep you and your loved ones safe this hurricane season.”
FEMA reminds individuals and communities that the best time to prepare is before an emergency or disaster strikes. Consider the following to make sure you and your family are protected this season:
Gather supplies- After a hurricane, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Take some time to make sure you have what you’ll need to say safe and comfortable whether you must evacuate or can stay at home.
- Have enough supplies for your household, including food, water and other supplies to last for several days. Be sure to include any medication, cleaning, and pet supplies as well as any important documents you may need. Visit Ready.gov/kit for a printable list you can take to the store when stocking up.
- Every family is unique, so consider your everyday needs when making a kit. This is especially important if you or anyone in your household is an individual with a disability identify if you may need additional help during an emergency.
- Make sure you have a plan to keep your family connected during and after a hurricane. Visit Ready.gov/plan and use the easy, sharable "Make a Plan" fillable form with your family and loved ones.
- Remember, hurricanes create hazards for more than coastal areas. You may experience rain, flooding and wind far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
- Review your homeowners, renters and business insurance policy so you understand what kind of damage is covered.
- Remember, standard homeowner’s and renter’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding. You can get flood coverage from your insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
Disaster Recovery Centers Opening in Lamar, Polk Counties
AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Lamar and Polk counties June 1, to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.
The centers are located at:
Lamar County
Chisum Elementary School
3250 S. Church St
Paris, TX 75460
Polk County
Livingston Public Library
707 N. Tyler Avenue
Livingston, TX 77351
The centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov/drc.
Residents in Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Waller counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).
Texans do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply, homeowners and renters can:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
alexa.brown Fri, 05/31/2024 - 18:27FEMA and SBA Assistance Tops $3.7 Million for Ohio Tornado Survivors
COLUMBUS – Just under a month since President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for the state of Ohio following the March 14, 2024 tornadoes, more than $3.7 million in federal assistance has been provided by FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support disaster recovery.
Homeowners and renters whose homes and property were damaged by the storms, and who still need to apply for federal assistance, have until July 1, 2024, to do so.
As of May 31, Ohio’s recovery assistance includes:
- More than $2.4 million in FEMA’s Individual and Households Program (IHP) grants awarded to eligible homeowners and renters in eleven Ohio counties. These grants help pay for uninsured and underinsured losses and storm-related damage, including:
- More than $1.5 million in FEMA housing grants to help pay for home repair, home replacement and rental assistance for temporary housing.
- More than $951,000 in Other Needs Assistance grants to help pay for personal property replacement and other serious storm-related needs—such as moving and storage fees, transportation, childcare, and medical and dental expenses.
- More than $1.3 million in long-term, low-interest disaster loans has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners and renters to help repair, rebuild or replace disaster-damaged physical property and to cover economic injury for businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations.
The eleven Ohio counties designated for FEMA assistance in this disaster are: Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland and Union.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams have been visiting storm-affected neighborhoods in designated counties to help residents apply for FEMA assistance, identify and address immediate needs, and make referrals to other local, state and voluntary agencies for additional support. To date, DSA personnel have visited more than 7,500 households and 370 businesses to connect survivors with assistance.
In addition, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers have been opened in affected counties to provide one-on-one support to survivors. At the centers, recovery specialists from FEMA, the state of Ohio and the U.S. Small Business Administration provide information on available services, explain assistance programs, and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for assistance. No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Walk-ins are welcome.
To find a Disaster Recovery Center nearest you, visit www.FEMA.gov/DRC. Any center may be visited for assistance.
To apply for FEMA assistance without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Ohio, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4777.
grace.jack Fri, 05/31/2024 - 17:37President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Arkansas
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Arkansas to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from May 24-27, 2024.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Benton, Boone and Marion counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in Benton, Boone and Marion counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Roland W. Jackson has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
amy.ashbridge Fri, 05/31/2024 - 16:52Bell, Henderson, Tyler Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance
AUSTIN -- Homeowners and renters in Bell, Henderson and Tyler counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began April 26.
Eligible applicants may qualify for serious needs assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage. Previously, households in Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties were approved for assistance.
To apply, homeowners and renters can:
- Go online to disasterassistance.gov/
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
alexa.brown Thu, 05/30/2024 - 23:54FEMA Region 3 Highlights Dam Safety on Anniversary of the Historic Johnstown Dam Failure
The National Dam Safety Program (NDSP), authorized by Congress in 1996, is a national program that targets the improvement of dams and the safety of those who live in surrounding communities. National Dam Safety Awareness Day was created to encourage and promote individual and community responsibility for dam safety as well as to provide information on what steps can be taken to prevent future structural dam failures. A secondary goal is to promote the benefits dams offer to communities.
In FEMA Region 3, there are nearly 5,300 dams in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Across the U.S., there are over 90,000 dams that provide water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities for local communities. Dams play a vital role in the Nation’s overall infrastructure and it is critical that they remain resilient in the face of emergencies such as natural hazards or man-made threats.
For over 30 years, the federal government has been working to protect communities from dam failure through FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) State Assistance Grant Program. The program is a partnership of states, federal agencies, and other partners to encourage individual and community responsibility for dam safety. The program provides funding for dam safety training while also enhancing dam inspection requirements.
Additionally, FEMA provides funding for technical planning, design, and construction assistance for rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams through the High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) Grant. FEMA also offers Collaborative Technical Assistance (CTA) to help communities with dams better understand their risk and the consequences of dam-related emergencies.
While dams provide many benefits to communities, such as the storage of drinking water and the improvement of wildlife habitats, they can also pose a significant flood risk if they fail. Dam safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone is encouraged to know their risk, know their role, and take action.
Be Prepared:
- Know Your Risk: The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has a National Dam Inventory where you can search your area to see if you live near a dam.
- Sign up for local alerts and warnings, and enable wireless emergency alerts on your phone, so you are notified of an imminent dam failure.
- Have a go-kit ready with supplies that you can grab quickly if you are asked to evacuate.
- Know your evacuation route. This information can be found through your local and county emergency management office.
- Have a family communications plan ready should your family become separated while evacuating.
- Be vigilant about potential risks, especially in the event of dam failure; some smaller dams are now considered high hazard due to increased development.
If a Dam Fails:
- Evacuate as soon as possible.
- Don’t attempt to drive or walk through rushing water.
- If you cannot evacuate, get to the highest part of your home, and call 911 for help.
Additional information on national dam safety is available at: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/dam-safety/resources-general-public.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Follow us on X at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.
amanda.hancher Thu, 05/30/2024 - 19:30FEMA Administrator Announces 2024 National Preparedness Theme Focused on Preparing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities for Risks and Disasters
WASHINGTON -- In honor of President Biden proclaiming May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Heritage month, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell today announced in a new video this year’s National Preparedness Month 2024 theme will focus on empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to act today to prepare for future risks and disasters. National Preparedness Month is in September and FEMA is announcing this new theme early to encourage communities and our partners to help over the summer months to engage this community as we are about to kick-off the upcoming hurricane season and ready ourselves for all hazards our communities face.
“The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community is a large, diverse group that spans across many cultures, languages and unique circumstances that must be considered when developing strategies to engage communities on disaster preparedness,” said Administrator Criswell. “We’re committed to understanding the realities of such a broad and diverse community to improve how messaging and resources reach people and help deliver our mission in a powerful, long-lasting and impactful way.”
This focus responds to trends that show the importance and the barriers of connecting with this community. According to census data analyzed by the Pew Research Center, the Asian population in the U.S. grew 81% from 2000 to 2019, from roughly 10.5 million to a record 18.9 million people and according to FEMA’s 2023 National Household Survey, 65% of the Asian Americans and 58% of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders surveyed reported that they don’t believe that taking a step to prepare will make a difference and were not confident in their ability to prepare. This community has always been a priority for FEMA before, during and after disasters including our active response and recovery efforts in Hawaii and Guam, and our work to reach people nationwide. FEMA is now prioritizing this community and delivering preparedness information in a new way.
As we head toward September, FEMA will develop materials for AANHPI communities written, visual and host summer long activities and webinars to help people prepare for extreme weather events. FEMA is committed to using a data-driven approach to preparedness message development. Through coordination with the Ad Council, research and analysis and direct feedback from community, FEMA will help with the development of creative ads to further ensure culturally competent resources are available to help motive Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to take steps to prepare.
“Our nation’s Ready Campaign continues to focus on reaching all communities with the information they need to be prepared for whatever comes their way. As we embark on this important new effort with the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community, we will be engaging with this diverse community and investing in culturally competent preparedness materials so we can reach them where they are,” said Administrator Criswell.
This year’s campaign builds on FEMA’s ongoing approach to advance accessibility and cultural competency in boosting the nation’s preparedness. Over the past several years, FEMA and the Ad Council created PSA’s designed to resonate with Latino communities called “Prepare to Protect,” PSA’s for the Black and African American community called “A Lasting Legacy,” and older adults who are rural, have limited resources and disabilities called “Take Control.”
“We are proud to collaborate with FEMA to empower Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities with culturally competent resources,” said Michelle Hillman, chief campaign development officer at the Ad Council. “Our goal is to help everyone take steps to prepare for disasters and deliver long-lasting messaging that resonates across communities.”
Empower your preparedness journey today by visiting Ready.gov or Listo.gov for tips, advice and resources before an emergency or disaster.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Leominster
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now officially open in Leominster, Worcester County. Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have been stationed at Leominster’s city hall for the last two days helping residents affected by the storms and flooding that took place on Sept. 11-13, 2023 to apply for disaster assistance. As of Friday, May 31, more specialists and resources will be available with a larger footprint at the location to answer questions and provide more information on disaster assistance.
The joint DRC is a temporary facility established in partnership between Massachusetts and FEMA and is accessible to people with disabilities or who may not speak English well or need American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services. The facilities are equipped with assistive technology equipment, including, Video Remote Interpreting, large print or braille material and amplified listening systems. If you need a reasonable accommodation, sign language interpreter, or translation or interpreter assistance, please let a FEMA specialist at the center know. If a disaster survivor cannot travel to the DRC, FEMA will arrange a home visit.
Disaster assistance specialists at the center can help residents apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, upload documents needed for their application and answer questions in person. SBA specialists can provide information on low-interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters businesses and nonprofits. SBA loans provide the largest source of federal disaster assistance.
The DRC is located at:
Leominster City Hall 25 West Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
You do not need an appointment to visit a DRC.
Those affected by the disaster do not have to visit a DRC to apply for disaster assistance. Survivors can also register in one of the following ways:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. The FEMA website is accessible and includes language translation options.
- By phone at 1-800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
- Download FEMA’s Mobile App. Select Disaster Resources and click on Apply for Assistance Online.
Be Sure to Apply With FEMA
OKLAHOMA CITY – Only residents who apply directly with FEMA may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. Registering with state, religious or volunteer agencies will not make you eligible for FEMA assistance.
There are four ways to apply for FEMA assistance:
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, and talk with one of the multilingual operators. The Helpline is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT.
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA app.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center, where you can talk one-on-one with officials from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, other federal agencies and Oklahoma state officials.
- Recovery centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at:
- Carter County Health Department
405 S. Washington St.
Ardmore, OK 73401 - Early Childhood Learning Center
401 S. 10th St
Barnsdall, OK 74002
- Carter County Health Department
- And 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at:
- Murray County Extension Office
3490 Highway 7 West
Sulphur, OK 73086
- Murray County Extension Office
- As more centers open, you can find the nearest one at fema.gov/drc.
- Recovery centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at:
Remember: you can only be eligible for federal disaster assistance from FEMA by applying with FEMA.
A useful video called “Registering for Disaster Assistance,” which features American Sign Language, is available online at FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com). For more information about FEMA assistance, visit FEMA Accessible: Disaster Assistance in Your Community (youtube.com).
For the latest information about Oklahoma’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4776. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
alexa.brown Thu, 05/30/2024 - 18:48Biden-Harris Administration Announces $300 Million to Strengthen Community Resilience to Flooding as Part of Investing in America Agenda
Funding Advances Biden-Harris Administration’s National Climate Resilience Framework
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the third round of Swift Current funding, making $300 million available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help National Flood Insurance Program policyholders across the nation become more resilient to flooding.
This funding makes $660 million that FEMA is using from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Flood Mitigation Assistance program’s Swift Current opportunity. To strengthen America’s climate resilience, President Biden secured more than $50 billion for climate resilience and adaptation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act and established a National Climate Resilience Framework, which is advancing locally tailored, community-driven climate resilience strategies.
“Though Swift Current is only two years old, it’s impact in flooded communities across America has already been substantial,” said Administrator Criswell. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re able to offer another $300 million to improve resilience in recently flooded communities. I encourage states, tribes, territories and localities across the nation take flood threats seriously and consider using Swift Current funding to better prepare your communities for future flooding events.”
Swift Current aims to speed up the award of Flood Mitigation Assistance funding to states, territories, the District of Columbia and federally recognized tribal governments to reduce the damage-repair cycle of repetitively or substantially flood-damaged properties. Rather than through annual Flood Mitigation Assistance grant cycle, Swift Current provides resiliency dollars after a major disaster declaration following a flood-related disaster event to reduce risk against future flood damage.
Examples of projects eligible for this funding include property acquisition and demolition, elevation and relocation. To be eligible, buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program and have a history of repetitive or substantial damage from flooding.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $3.5 billion in Flood Mitigation Assistance grants over five years through fiscal year 2026. As part of this funding, Swift Current will help communities reduce flood damage and comply with local community requirements. Swift Current advances the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
In alignment with the Flood Mitigation Assistance annual grant program, Swift Current provides more equitable access to mitigation grants through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It offers tailored pre-application support to disadvantaged communities that often face challenges and provides cost share assistance up to 100% to help meet their non-federal match.
For the first Swift Current announcement in 2022, FEMA made available a total of $60 million to Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Pennsylvania -- after Hurricane Ida. For the second announcement in 2023, FEMA made available a total of $300 million and expanded criteria to benefit more places, which as of May 30, 2024, includes 19 states and one Tribal Nation.
This announcement follows similar criteria to the 2023 funding opportunity to increase the likelihood of eligibility. States, territories, the District of Columbia and federally recognized tribal governments will be eligible if they meet two criteria:
- They receive a major disaster declaration for a flood-related disaster event between June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025. A flood-related disaster event includes coastal storms, hurricanes, remnants of hurricanes and floods.
- One of the following criteria must also be met:
- The state, territory or federally recognized tribal government has at least $1 million in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance claims paid in the 12 months prior to the disaster declaration date.
- The state, territory, District of Columbia or federally recognized tribal government has 500 or more NFIP flood insurance claims submitted in the declared flood-related event.
- The applicant is a U.S. territory or a federally recognized tribal government applying directly to FEMA.
FEMA will give special consideration if the state, territory, District of Columbia or federally recognized tribal government receives a major disaster declaration for a flood-related event from June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025, but does not meet any of the three additional conditions listed above. Refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for additional information and requirements.
FEMA will work with states, territories, District of Columbia and federally recognized tribal governments to explore their participation during this cycle. Potential applicants who have questions may contact their FEMA regional office.
The application window opens on June 1, 2024, and the last eligible disaster declaration date is May 31, 2025. The funding opportunity is available on Grants.gov.
All applications must be submitted in FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application deadline date will be provided to the applicant. Applications received by FEMA after the deadline will not be considered for funding. For more information, interested NFIP policyholders should contact their state or territory hazard mitigation officer.
amy.ashbridge Thu, 05/30/2024 - 18:47Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Harris, Jasper, Jones Counties
AUSTIN -- FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Harris, Jasper and Jones counties May 31 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds that began April 26.
The centers are located at:
Harris County
Vera B. May Community Center
2100 Wolf Road
Huffman, TX 77336
Jasper County
Jasper County Courthouse Annex
271 E Lamar St., Ste 101
Jasper, TX 75951
Jones County
Jones County Law Enforcement Center
402 2nd St.
Anson, TX 79501
The centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the DRC nearest to you, go to fema.gov/drc.
Residents in Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. If you need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter, please call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).
Texans do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for FEMA assistance. To apply, homeowners and renters can:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc. You do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for assistance.
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
For the latest information about the disaster, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 or at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
alexa.brown Thu, 05/30/2024 - 13:31As National Dam Safety Day Approaches, FEMA Region 8 Announces Funding for Colorado Dam Safety Efforts
DENVER – FEMA Region 8 has awarded Colorado $705,473 in National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program funds to enhance dam safety efforts. This announcement comes in advance of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31.
Dams come in all shapes and sizes from the largest like Hoover Dam to the earthen embankment at your local pond. They play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day seeks to encourage individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, promote the benefits dams offer to communities, as well as what steps can be taken to prevent future dam failures.
In the United States, the average age of dams is 61 years. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. This funding is meant to address some of these concerns. To learn more about the dams in your area, visit the Colorado Dam Safety page.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect communities from increasing threats from climate change.
This investment for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure funding will strengthen local resilience, avoid disaster costs, and help protect communities from flooding. This release aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.
anthony.mayne Wed, 05/29/2024 - 21:14As National Dam Safety Day Approaches, FEMA Region 8 Announces Funding for South Dakota Dam Safety Efforts
DENVER – FEMA Region 8 has awarded South Dakota $224,962 in National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program funds to enhance dam safety efforts. This announcement comes in advance of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31.
Dams come in all shapes and sizes from the largest like Hoover Dam to the earthen embankment at your local pond. They play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day seeks to encourage individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, promote the benefits dams offer to communities, as well as what steps can be taken to prevent future dam failures.
In the United States, the average age of dams is 61 years. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. This funding is meant to address some of these concerns. To learn more about the dams in your area, visit the South Dakota Dam Safety page.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect communities from increasing threats.
This investment for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure funding will strengthen local resilience, avoid disaster costs, and help protect communities from flooding. This release aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.
anthony.mayne Wed, 05/29/2024 - 21:09As National Dam Safety Day Approaches, FEMA Region 8 Announces Funding for Wyoming Dam Safety Efforts
DENVER – FEMA Region 8 has awarded Wyoming $444,804 in National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program funds to enhance dam safety efforts. This announcement comes in advance of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31.
Dams come in all shapes and sizes from the largest like Hoover Dam to the earthen embankment at your local pond. They play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day seeks to encourage individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, promote the benefits dams offer to communities, as well as what steps can be taken to prevent future dam failures.
In the United States, the average age of dams is 61 years. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. This funding is meant to address some of these concerns. To learn more about the dams in your area, visit the Wyoming Dam Safety page.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect communities from increasing threats.
This investment for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure funding will strengthen local resilience, avoid disaster costs, and help protect communities from flooding. This release aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.
anthony.mayne Wed, 05/29/2024 - 21:04As National Dam Safety Day Approaches, FEMA Region 8 Announces Funding for Utah Dam Safety Efforts
DENVER – FEMA Region 8 has awarded Utah $389,332 in National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program funds to enhance dam safety efforts. This announcement comes in advance of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31.
Dams come in all shapes and sizes from the largest like Hoover Dam to the earthen embankment at your local pond. They play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day seeks to encourage individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, promote the benefits dams offer to communities, as well as what steps can be taken to prevent future dam failures.
In the United States, the average age of dams is 61 years. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. This funding is meant to address some of these concerns. To learn more about the dams in your area, visit the Utah Dam Safety page.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect communities from increasing threats.
This investment for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure funding will strengthen local resilience, avoid disaster costs, and help protect communities from flooding. This release aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.
anthony.mayne Wed, 05/29/2024 - 20:59As National Dam Safety Day Approaches, FEMA Region 8 Announces Funding for North Dakota Dam Safety Efforts
DENVER – FEMA Region 8 has awarded North Dakota $320,000 in National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program funds to enhance dam safety efforts. This announcement comes in advance of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31.
Dams come in all shapes and sizes from the largest like Hoover Dam to the earthen embankment at your local pond. They play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day seeks to encourage individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, promote the benefits dams offer to communities, as well as what steps can be taken to prevent future dam failures.
In the United States, the average age of dams is 61 years. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. This funding is meant to address some of these concerns. To learn more about the dams in your area, visit the North Dakota Dam Safety page.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect communities from increasing threats.
This investment for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure funding will strengthen local resilience, avoid disaster costs, and help protect communities from flooding. This release aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.
anthony.mayne Wed, 05/29/2024 - 20:51As National Dam Safety Day Approaches, FEMA Region 8 Announces Funding for Montana Dam Safety Efforts
DENVER – FEMA Region 8 has awarded Montana $893,165 in National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program funds to enhance dam safety efforts. This announcement comes in advance of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31.
Dams come in all shapes and sizes from the largest like Hoover Dam to the earthen embankment at your local pond. They play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreation, and economic opportunities.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day seeks to encourage individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, promote the benefits dams offer to communities, as well as what steps can be taken to prevent future dam failures.
In the United States, the average age of dams is 61 years. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. This funding is meant to address some of these concerns. To learn more about the dams in your area, visit the Montana Dam Safety page.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect communities from increasing threats.
This investment for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure funding will strengthen local resilience, avoid disaster costs, and help protect communities from flooding. This release aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.
anthony.mayne Wed, 05/29/2024 - 20:41Pages
